Do You Have Fridge Door Rights?

Could your fridge be a window to your very soul? Well, if we truly are what we eat, what exactly do your fridge contents say about YOU? Never thought of it quite like that, did you? I hear you. Most of the time we’re opening and closing that door in such a rush to get out the necessaries (or peering in for much-needed inspiration). Yet walking into someone’s home and opening their fridge door is not a common practice (or even considered good manners). You know what I mean: you’re either immediate family or a very close friend for those ‘fridge door opening’ privileges. For it’s only your closest, nearest and dearest that get to see this side of us (the plentiful, scarily sparse, or in-much-need-of-cleaning). It’s this side of our life that ain’t always pretty, ain’t always neat (if ever!?), and reveals so much more than we’re about to share with the world-at-large.

Check out photographer Mark Menjivar’s project, you are what you eat.  It’s an array of photos that showcase different people’s fridges from all walks of life. In his statement about this 3-year project, Menjivar says, “A refrigerator is both a private and a shared space. One person likened the question, 'May I photograph the interior of your fridge?' to asking someone to pose nude for the camera. Each fridge is photographed ‘as is.’”  So true.

So, would you open your fridge today and snap a photo? … or not on your life?

Over the next month I’ll be sharing photos from folks all around the country who have boldly shared their personal fridge pics. Yep, they’ve opened the door and snapped a photo. It’s all part of the “HELP! What Can I Make for Dinner Challenge!” (Check out Cynthia's fridge and Sandy's fridge pics here.) They’ve let us in … and whatdyaknow … we weren’t even family (but maybe friends, yes?). They trusted us enough to let us peek into their food space. That’s big.

PS -- If you're feeling especially bold and would like to receive some quick meal solutions from what you have on hand, please email your very own fridge pic to me at christine at quickmealhelp dot com.